Everlyn Chapter 19 #3
“I said we need to talk. Trailer. Now. Who doesn’t understand now?” he said mockingly.
“Oh, I understand. I just don’t follow orders like a dog. And I have no intention of going into the trailer with you. If you have something to ask or say, then you can do it out here. I need to keep an eye on my people.”
I caught sight of Liam. He was still a decent distance away, but close enough to watch.
I saw he was holding his phone. I bet he had it out to call the cops if things got out of control.
It wouldn’t be necessary. I gestured to the wooden crates that had held supplies or tools.
Often, the crews sat on them when they ate lunch. I pointed to them.
“We can sit and talk there. Take it or leave it. That’s the only offer you’re getting.”
Then, I turned to head toward them, but I angled my body so I could still keep him in my peripheral vision. But it broadcast a clear message about who was in charge here. And it wasn’t him.
Usually, I would never be rude to a customer or their representatives.
But Bishop Reeves had earned nothing better.
Plus, maybe since it was my last project with Martin, my tolerance was gone.
When I reached the crates and sat, I felt satisfaction at the roughness of the wood.
It would snag and ruin his pretty, expensive suit.
Good. Let him send the bill to the office.
I’d make sure he got nothing, no matter how much he screamed and demanded.
I heard his furious breathing coming closer.
His face was redder. I had no problem picturing him as a little boy on the school playground, bullying others.
He had been one all his life. Well, too bad, but he would be the one taking his ball and going home today.
Or if things went as hoped, he wouldn’t.
“What the hell are you smiling about?” he snapped as he reached the crate across from me. I saw his lip curl when he saw the surface.
“I can’t sit on this! It’ll ruin my pants,” he barked.
“You can stand then. It’s been so peaceful lately. I hoped that meant you realized we were doing our job and you’d stopped hounding us. Clearly, you have not. Go ahead, tell me why you’re here. I have another inspection to do.”
He sputtered for a few seconds, then just stood there glaring at me as his mouth opened. I pictured him with his mouth stapled shut. Ah, if only.
“I’ll be speaking to your supervisor about your attitude. How dare you speak to a customer that way? I’ll have your job,” Bishop snarled.
“First of all, you’re not our customer. We were hired by the Gulf Shore City Council, not you.
You work at their sewage treatment plant.
Yes, you might manage it, but that’s as far as your authority over this project goes.
I understand that you’ve found ways to intimidate the council members so they defer to you and allow you to run around assuming authority you don’t have.
However, that’s done for me. You have five minutes to tell me why you came. ”
“How dare you!? You don’t know what the hell you’re saying. I’ll have you fired, and I’ll make sure you don’t work again in remediation and whatever other bullshit you do in the state of Florida!” he shouted.
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. He was like a chihuahua, all bark, like he was a big dog, but in reality, he was a tiny irritation.
“What the fuck are you laughing about, bitch?” He thundered.
“At the little chihuahua who thinks if he barks loud enough, someone will take him seriously or be afraid. I’m sorry. Let me see if I can pretend to be afraid,” I smirked.
“Today will be your last day!” He screamed. Fury made his body practically vibrate.
“No, it’s not. But even if it were, my give-a-fuck meter is broken. I don’t get paid enough to put up with assholes like you, Bishop. Whatever you came here to say, I don’t care what it was. Leave.”
As I rose to my feet, I heard it. The distinct sound of a motorcycle engine. And it wasn’t just any bike. It was my man’s. I could pick it out without seeing it. Bishop caught the sound too, turning toward the road. We weren’t far from it, just over from the trailer.
Zephyr brought the bike to the edge of the parking area. He would’ve ridden up to us if the ground hadn’t been so soft. Even with his sunglasses shading his eyes, I saw by the set of his mouth that he wasn’t happy. And that was with his beard and mustache helping to hide his mouth.
I heard Bishop mutter under his breath, “Fuck, he’s here.”
“Why yes, he is,” I said sweetly.
Zephyr came off his bike and thundered across the mud. There was no bitching out of him about it ruining his boots. He didn’t wait until he reached us to begin speaking, either.
“What the hell are you doing here, Reeves? You were told to stay away from here. You don’t listen, do you? Or maybe you’re just too stupid to understand.”
“You stay out of this! It’s between her and me. You’re the one who shouldn’t be here.”
“I have goddamn permission from the company to be here. I told you, the owner doesn’t want you on his land. Move the hell away from her,” Zephyr snapped.
As Zephyr’s last word came out, he arrived at where we stood.
He moved past Bishop to me. His arm came out to circle my waist. He brought me in snug on his left side.
I knew he was right-handed. Again, not that I thought there was a need for shooting, but after the incident at the rally, I was more cautious.
“I don’t answer to you or her. You say you have authority, but I don’t believe it.
I’m here to tell her that when this job is done, which better be soon, she’s not to speak to the council again about inspecting the treatment plant.
The pipe ruptured out here, not there. I know my job.
I keep my shit in working order. Stop trying to wiggle your way in so you make more money.
You sent off that ridiculous letter requesting an inspection.
It’s all a bunch of horse shit,” Bishop spat out.
Satisfaction surged within me. He was scared. The last thing he wanted was for me to get inside that plant. If I did, everything would come out.
“I’m doing my job. And forgive me if I don’t take your word for anything about the treatment plant’s condition.
You could tell me the sky is blue. And I wouldn’t believe it without checking for myself.
So based on your reaction and the fact that you felt the need to come out here, I take it they’re considering it.
They know more problems are waiting to erupt.
They want to get ahead of it. Good,” I said to him, smiling.